Have Fun with Your Dog by Louise Louis

We're all so focused on taking good care of our dogs
that it's easy to lose sight of how easy and enjoyable
it is to spend a few minutes a day just playing with
our dog.

It doesn't matter that your dog is not Lassie an
and you're not Cesar Millan. Here are 5 simple games
that don't require any expensive equipment,
extraordinary skill or training. Have fun.

1. Toss a Towel

Toss a smallish bath towel over your dog's head.
Be sure to cover his head and shoulders. See how
long it takes for him to remove it.

2. Hide a Treat

Get one of his favorite small treats, such as a
cube of cheese, and show it to him. Place three
unbreakable cups face down on the floor. With your
back to your dog so he can't see it, hide the treat
under one of the cups. See how long it takes him
to find the treat. If you don't have unbreakable cups,
use boxes. Be sure to select boxes you no longer want!

Alternate version - show him the treat and then place
it under a low piece of furniture so that he can't
see the treat but can only use his paws to get it.
Smart dogs will figure out how to get it.
Others will give up.

3. Play Hide and Seek (for trained dogs

Give your dog the Sit command, then go behind
him and hide somewhere, such as behind a door
or the couch. Yell the Come command and see how
long it takes him to find you.

4. Play Soccer

A true soccer ball is too big for Toy breed dogs.
You want a rubber ball large enough that your dog
can't put it all in his mouth or pick it up by
his teeth. Use your backyard or a safe area inside
and put the ball on the floor. Gently kick the ball
along the ground to your dog.

In a few minutes, he will figure out that he must
push the ball with his nose or paws. Praise him
every time he moves the ball.

5. Fetch the Ball or Toy

Most dogs love to chase after a thrown ball or
toy. Use a bouncy ball or plush toy. Toss the
ball or toy a few feet from your dog. Remember
you're not playing softball and you have a
small dog. You don't need to throw it far.

Use a command such as FETCH if you want, but
remember you can have fun, you don't have to
make this a training session unless you want to.

Unfortunately, many dogs do not like to drop
the ball and give it back to you. Don't fight
your dog or try to force it from his mouth.
It's too easy to get bitten inadvertently.

Instead, throw a second ball or toy. Most dogs
will drop the first one and go after the second
one. Keep repeating this patter until you're
both tuckered out.

General tip: reserve the ball or toy you
use for these games to these games only. Don't
let your dog play with the ball or toys all the
time. That way your dog will know when you pick
up the rubber ball, it's play time.

While we love our dogs and most of us take our
dogs on daily walks, we may be on such tight
schedules that we forget to make time, even
5 minutes a day, to just play with our dogs.

These simple play dates provide mental and
physical stimulation to your dog and
help you bond together.

Have a good time.

About the Author:
For more information on Toy breeds and other small dogs, visit http://www.toybreeds.com